Folding-machine



W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER. FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYaI. 1919.

W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER. FQLDING MACHINE. APPLlcAnoN man MAY 31. 1919. 1,399,264. Patented Dec. 6, 1921.-

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FOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION mso MAY31,1919.

15399264. Patented Dee. 6, 1921.

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W. F.' LAUTENSCHLAGERA. FOLDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

W. F. LAUTENSCHLAGER.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY aI, 1919.

1,399,264.' Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

` WILLIAJYI F. LAUTENSCHLAGER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO LORENZ MUTHER, OF NEVTTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING-:MACHINE Application led May 31, 1919.

T 0 all whome't may concern.'

Be it known that l, WILLrAM F. LAUTEN- scHLAGnR, al citizen of the nited States, residing atCincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Folding- Machines, of which the following is a spec-ification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to machines for Arolding the edges of leather, cloth and other pliable material in sheet or band form and more particularly to machines operating in a. step-by-step manner and having means for feeding the material in a step-by-step manner, for turning overthe edge to befolded and for pressing said turned over edge down upon the body-portion of the material.

Heretofore in the use of such machines, especially for folding' the skived edges of leather parts intended for use in boots and shoes, it has been found that the turning over of the edge of the leather while the main portion of the leather remained in a flat position and the use of pressing means having pressing surfaces parallel with 'the material and the work-support subjected the turned over edge to a strain which prevented the securinff of a perfect fold. Furthermore, as a result of the strain imposed upon the edge of the material,y the work after being folded, instead of lying flat curved inwardly and sometimes the edge presented a wavy appearance. By slitting the turnedover edge, however, a better fold was secured but the slitting on straight edges was a disadvantage because itweakened the folded edge.

To secure better results by obviating the strain on the edge, itV has been proposed to use pressing means having pressing surfaces oblique to the work-support of the machine so that the fold might be pressed while Yheld at an angle to the body-portion of the material. The use of pressing means of this character relieved the strain on the edge to some extent but made a crease at the inner edge of the fold which spoiled the appearance of and tended to warp the finished work and which was difficult to remove when the shoe parts were stitched together.A At the same time the inward curl of the material, although improved, was not entirely removed. n attempt has been made to remove the crease at the inner edge of the fold and to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

serieu No. 300,862. Y

prevent warping by providing pressing means arranged to crease the folded edge transversely at the conclusion of the pressing operation but again this is open to the objection that it tends to disturb the cemented;

relation of the folded edge after it has been folded and to make a heavy bead or fold.

The main object of my invention is the provision in a folding machine' of means for supporting the material to be folded in such manner that it may be operated upon the pressing means without straining the edge and thereby secure a smooth and perfect fold4 Without warping the material.

Another object of my invention is the provision of work supporting, edge turning andV edge pressing` means so arranged and related to each other that when the work is presented to the pressing means the turned over edge is at an acute angle to the body-portion of the Work.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means whereby curves'of small radii may be folded with the same degree of precision and nicety that is possible in straight edges.

An additional object is to secure a folding machine of simple and efhcient constructioncut.

Other objects of the invention will be specifically set forth and described vin detail hereinafter.

One of the principal features of my invention resides in the provision of aconvexly curved work-support and pressing means having a pressing surface parallel to said work-support. Preferably the surface of the worksupport is a segment of a cylinder with the axis of said cylinder parallel to the normal line of feed of the material. The pressing means is preferably arranged to operate in a line perpendicular to the curved surface of the Werl-support. Because of this construction the edge to be folded is turned into an acute angled relation to the body-portion of the material and thereby the strain on the edge -is entirely relieved ranged perpendicular to the normal line of the `feed with uthe result, however, that on inside curves of short radii, where the work is turned and pivoted around a point, the

cuts with a knife so arranged are slantingv to the line of the curve. By slanting my knife so that the point is nearer to the operator than the back of the knife, I secure cuts on inside curves of short radii which are substantially perpendicular to the curve and thereby secure, as a result, amore uniform foldedredge. The use of `a knifeon a folding machine is limited, as a rule, to cutting the edge to be folded on inside curves, becauseit is unnecessary in straight portions and is a disadvantage and is unnecessary on outside curves because the folded edge is simply turned over and plaited. i

Inthe accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of my yinvention, Figure 1 isa side elevation, viewed from the station of the operator, of a folding machine constructed and operated in accordancewith my invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the machine from the side opposite to Fig. `1 and-looking toward the operator; Fig. 3 is a lfront end elevation of the machine looking from left to right in Fig. 1; Fig. 4'is a plan view of the end of the lower arm with curved work-plate, gage, feed-roll and plow carried thereby; Fig; 5 is a side elevation from the station of the operator of the feeding mechanisms and `,actuating mechanism therefor; Fig. 6 is a crosssectional view on line 6 6 in Fig. 5 looking from right to left; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on line 7--7 in Fig. 5 looking `from left to right; Fig. S is a side elevation, from the view point of the operator, of the curved work-plate, feed-roll, plow and fold-pressing member; Fig. 9 is an elevation fromv the same point as Fig. 8 of the fold-pressing member and actuating mechanism, Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the slitting-mechanism in operating position and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the hammer.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention I have shown a machine having a work-support, the surface of which is a segment of a cylinder with the central axis par-v allel to the normal line of feed, with suitable means for feeding the material through the machine, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing down upon the body-portion ofthe material, the turned over edge, the pressing surface .of the..pressing means being parallelto the fcurved, work-support. In addition I have shown means for slitting the edge to 4be folded operable at the will of the operator and so arranged; that the .cuts on curves of small radii will besubstantially perpendicular to the edge.

`Passing to a rdetai'led description of the machineA shown in the drawings and illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, 10 designates a `frame having two outwardly extending arms, a lower arm 11 andan uppenoverhanging arm 12. lUponV the ends `of these two arms are mounted the.v various instrumentalities for performing the work; the Aactuating mechanisms for imparting the necessary motions to such of said instrumentalities as `have motion being carried by the frame and the twoarms. The frame is provided with a `hase 14 which may have suitableholes to receive screws whereby it may be fastenedto a work bench.

Journaled through the frame `at 15 and in a bearing 16 which is .supported by webs 17 .and 18 depending `from and integral with the lower arm 11 at its end, is a main drive shaft 20 havingmounted ,on its rear end a pulley 21, whereby it maybe driven by a. belt from any suitable source of power.

Upon the upper face of the end ofthe lower arm 11 is secured by screws 23, 23, a convexly curved work-support 25 which constitutes one of the main featuresy of my invention. The operative surface of this work-support 25 is a segmentl of a cylinder, the `end 26of'the work-support nearest the operator being preferably beveled oli to permit the work to be moved forwardly ontoV the work-support.V Although the surface of theV work-support is shown as a segment of a cylinder as the preferred form, it is obvious that this form Vmay* be varied so long as the work is fed while in a convexly curved rather than a flat position.

The folding instrumentalities consist of a gage 30 for guidingthe .work through the machine, a-fold turner or plow 31y foi-'turning over the edge-of the work to be folded, a feed-bar 32 for feeding the work in a step-by-step manner forwardly in conjunction with a feed-roll 33, a presser foot 34 for holding `thework between'the feeding movements and a fold-presser or hammer 35 Y for pressing the turned over edge down' upon thebody-portion of the material and completing the fold. Meansforslitting the edge to be folded may also be provided comprising a lower fixed knife block 36 and an upper movable knife 37 cooperating therewith. The gage, plow,feed-roll andknife block-are preferably mounted-on the lower arm il and the upper arm l2.

The gage 30 is of usual form comprising a body-portion 30 and an arm 4l@ having an upright end el against which the material is held for guidance in its passage through the machine. The body-portion of the gage is proif'ided with a slot e2 to receive a screw 43 whereby it may he adjustahly secured to the top surface of the arm ll.

he fold-turner or plow 3l may he of any suitable construction hut as shown is in the form of block having an oblique curved face like the face of a plow, for turning` over the edge of the work as the material is fed forward and hy the plow. It is mounted on the end of a piece l5 which is secured to the under sine or" the top of the arm l1 by screws lo and 4f?. (See Fig. e.) therefore fined in their adjusted position. he plow is located a sui'licient distance hack of the gage to permit or the insertion of a knife blade for slitting the edge when desired.

For feeding the work through the niachine a feed-har 32 and` feed-roll 33 are provided. The latter is loosely mounted on the end of the lower arm ll by means of a screw and washer 5l so that it may revolve freely. The periphery 52 of the feedroll is oblique to its and is curved parallel to the eurfe of the work-support and is arranged in rea-ess in the worin-support so that it presents a feeding surface to the work similar to the surface of the worksupport. (See Fig. el.) rlie feed-har 32 is at its lower end in the form of a foot :'35 provided on its under surface with teeth to grip the work. It is also provided with a guide 5G secured to the feed-har a screw 57 and having guiding feet 5Sj 59; the foot 58 tending to hold the material against the gage 39 and the foot 59 holding the material down as the worlr is fed forward. (See Fig. 5.) This insures feeding the work evenly and prevents any curling of the edge of the worlr. The presser-foot 3e? which holds the work between the feeding movements7 has its lower end bent around so that it will engage the worlr at point adjacent to the feeding members.

For operating the feedine` remaining parts upon the A JJ means and tne presser-foot1 means are provided for moving the feed-har downwardly into engagement with the work and against the feed-roll then forwardly to feed the same, then uptuen wardly to release it from the work. rearwardly and downwa dlj; to agar gage the work for the feeding and means are provided for movin presser-foot downwardly to en ge theiry when the feed-har reaches the end of feeding movement and to hold the w. while the feed-bar is moving rearwardly to The gage and the plow arethe point of beginning of the next feeding movement, when the presser-foot is then raised. These means consist of a feed-shaft 69 and a lift-shaft 6l, the former accomplishing the forward movementv of the feedhar and the latter the upward and downward movement of both the feed-har and the presser-foot; The feed-shaft 60 is journaled at one end in a hearing 62 in the frame l0 and at the other end in a bearing 63 in the end of the overhanging arm l2. On the forward end of the feed-shaft 60 is mounted an extension 64, having one end in the form of a split collar 65 adapted to receive a screw 66 for securing the extension tothe feed-shaft. The other end of the extension is in the form of a housing 67 within which the feed-har 32 reciprocates. lVhen the feed-shaft 60 is oscillated the housing 67 carrying the feed-bar 32 is turned forward and hack thus feedingthe material..

In order to impart the forward and rearward movement of the feed-har, the feedshaft 6C' is oscillated through suitable connections hy the rotation of the main shaft 20. Between the pulley 21 and the frame l0 an eccentric 70 is secured on the main shaft, either as an integral part of the pulley 21 or independent Vof it. (Fig. 6.) Through the upper partof the frame l0 at 7l is journaled a rock-shaft .72 upon one end of which is mounted aV split collar 73 secured by a screw 74 and carrying a short arm 75 which is pivotally connected at its end hy a pin 76 in a yoke 77 on an arm 7S, the lower end of which carries a strap 7 9 surrounding the eccentric 70. Then themain shaft is rotated, the moi/*ement of the eccentric 70 within the strap 79 causes the arnr to be moved upwardly and downwardly and thereby to impart a. rocking movement to the rock-shaft 7 2. The feed-shaft isoscillated by the rockshaft through the following means. Upon the other end of the rock-shaft 7 2 is ixedly mounted an arm 82 which has its two ends in the form of split collars; the lower collar 83 being tightly held upon the roch-shaft 7 2 hy means of a screw 84 and the upper one 85 upon a 'pin 86 by a screw 87. Upon the feedshaft 69 is secured an arm 90 which is similar in construction to the arm 82 in havin its two ends formed into split collars; one o which 91 surrounds the feed-shaft 69 and is held in fixed engagement with said shaft by a screw 92 and the other of which 93 carries a pin 94 which'is held tightly by means of the screw 95. The arm 82 on the rook-shaft Z2 and the arm 90 on the feed-shaft 60 are connected hy a link arrangement made up of two arms 96 and 97, the former loosely mounted on the pin 94 and the latter mounted in a similar manner on the pin 86. The free ends of these two pins 94C and 85 have enlarged heads in order to retain the arms 96 and 97 in place upon the pins. At their lower ends the two arms are connected by a common pin 98A whichis secured in a splitY Vcollar 99 on the end of the arm 97 by a tion of the two arms 96 and 97 and the resultant movement of the pin 98. The arms 82, 96 and 97 are of .approximately the same .length and in consequence of this fact and of the arrangement ofthe arms7 theJ movement imparted to the feed-shaft by the movement of the rock-shaft increases as the lower end of the arm 97 is moved away from the center of the rock-shaft 72. If the arm 97 is in alinement with the harm 82, then the pin 98 is centered on the rock-shaft andthe movement of the latter will impart no movement whatever to the feed-shaft because the pin-98 will merely turn in the end of the arm 96 and not move it. By` moving the end of the arm 97 around theipin 86 as a pivot and away from the center of the` rock-shaft 72, the resultant movement of the feed-shaft is. increased in proportion to the distance the pin 98 is removed from the center of the rock-shaft. Y

In order to adjust the position of the arms 96 and 97 and thereby regulate the amount of the rocking movement 0f the feed-shaft 60 and consequently the length ofthe `feeding movement of `the `feed-bar 32, I 4provide adjustable means for turning the arms 96 and 97 downwardly and upwardly awa from the center' of therock-shaft 72. Pre erably theseV means comprise a `screw 105 threaded through a boss 106 fastened to the lower? part lof the arm 97, the end of the screw bearing against a portion of the split collar 83 secured` to one end of the rockshaft. A coiled spring 107 attached at one end to the split Acollar 91 on the feed-shaft and at the other end to a pin 109 set in the end of the pin 98 serves to hold the arms 96 and 97 in a retracted position and the end of the screw 105 in engagement with the collar 83. By turning the screw 105 in one direction or the other the arms 96 and 97 may be thrown away from or toward the center of the rock-shaft 72 and the length of the feeding movement thereby regulated. .A set nut 110 is provided to hold the screw'in its adjusted position.

Theupward and downward movements of the feed-bar and presser-foot are accomplished by the oscillation of the lift-shaft 61 which is oscillated from the main shaft in the following manner. An eccentric 115 is secured to the main shaft 20 and is infollowing means are provided.

closed by a split-strap 116 held together by a screw 117. The strap forms a part of an arm 118` having its upper end in the form of a yoke 119. `tivotally connected to the yoke by, a pin 120 isa short arm 121. `which is carried by a split collar 122fastened to the lift-shaft 61. The rotation of the main shaft and eccentric reciprocates the arm 118 llongitudinally thereby oscillating the liftshaft 61 through the Vmedium of the short arm 121. V

For raising and lowering the feed-bar and presser-foot at the appropriate times the Upon the end of the lift-shaft is secured a split collar 125 carryingl a shortV arm 126 havingpivotally mounted on its enda link 127.the upper end of which is forked to receive and forma loose bearing for a block 1,28 carried on a pin 129 which forms a partl of a split collar 160 fastened to the upper end of the feed-` bar 32 by a screw 131. The feed-bar is not connected to the link 127 and the block 128 is loosely mounted in the forked end of the link. c To keep the feed-bar 32 in its lower-` most position, there is arranged. on the link a hood 133 which curves over the top of the feed-bar and actsv as a buttress for ay small coi-ledspring-l set in the top of the feed.- bar. This spring exerts a downward pressure upon the feed-bar to keep it in tight engagement with the` work, yet permit it to retract when a seam in the work or a thicker portion 0f the Vwork passes under the feedfoot. Between the collar 130and the feedbar housing 67 may be arranged washerV 136, preferably of'fibrous material, to withstand wear, and by regulating the position of the feed-bar 32 in the collar 130, the feedbar can be adjusted to a ne degreeso that the feed foot .will grip the material when feeding without exerting undue pressure upon the feed roll.

The presser-foot 311 is pivoted at 1-1-0 on a rod 1411 loosely journaled in aA depending part 142 of the overhanging arm 12. Above the pivot point the presser-foot extends up-l wardly in the form of a flat finger piece '143 which may be utilized for lifting the presser-foot when desired, as for instance,

when removing partially finished work from the machine. A spring 145 is set in an arm 14:6 extending outwardly from the arm 12 and bears against the finger piece 141-3 there- 'byholding the presser-foot in a lowermost -152 set transversely in the presser-foot above the pivot point. The rocking movement of the split collar 125 thereby causes the presser-foot to be raised at appropriate times. By adjusting the screw 152 the timing of the operation of the presser-foot can be made exact.

As the work is fed through the machine by the action of the feeding means, it passes by the plow which turns over the edge ready for the action of the fold-pressing means, which presses down upon the body-portion of the material the turned over edge. This action is intermittent and takes place between the feeding movements and while the work is held stationary by the presser-foot. As heretofore stated, one very important feature of my invention resides in the` convexly curved work-support and fold-pressing means adapted to cooperate therewith. Various means may be provided for pressing down the fold in conjunction with the curved work-support and one form of means is shown in the drawings comprising a reciprocating hammer 35Yhaving afold-pressing surface which is parallel to the surface of the work-support. (See Fig. 8.) Preferably the hammer 35 reciprocates in a straight line, oblique to the main longitudinal axis of the machine but perpendicular to the surface of the work-support 25. The hammer, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, is mounted on the lower end of a rod 160 which is movably supported in a blockbearing 161 secured to the end of the overhanging arm 12 and reciprocates therein.

Any. suitable means may be provided for operating the hammer and one such is shown and comprises the following. On top of the overhanging arm 12 and slightly off center in a direction away from the operator is arranged a rock-shaft 165 in suitable bearings carried by brackets 166 and 167 which constitute parts of the overhanging arm 12. The rock-shaft 165 is operated from the liftshaft 61 but in an Aopposite direction by means of two short -arms 170 and 171, the former mounted on the lift-shaft and the lat-ter on the rock-shaft 165, and a link 172 connecting the two arms. Each of the arms 170 and 171 is of the same construction, com- 1arising a split collar part 173 at one end, with a screw 174 for fastening the arm to its respective shaft and with a split collar 176 at the end for receiving a pin 178 to hold one end of the link 172. 1n view of the fact that the arms 170 and 171 project in opposite directions from the two shafts, the rock-shaft 165 is oscillated in a direction reverse to that of the lift-shaft which is necessary so that the hammer may operate at the same time that the presser-foot is lowered.

Upon a. transverse shaft 180' rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 181 on the upper arm 12 is arranged a bell-crank lever 183i en@ @ed 0f which carries .a screw v18.5

threaded therethrough. The screw 185 is provided with a bore extending from its end nearly to its head within which is mounted a fairly stiff coil spring 184 which engages the end of the hammer rod 160. r1`he other end of the bell-crank lever 183 is connected by a pin 186 to a link 187 which in turn is connected to the free end of an arm 188 by a pin 189, the arm 188 being secured to the rock-shaft 165 by means of a split-collar 190 and screw 191. The link 187 is in the form of two yokes arranged at right angles to. each other, each yoke carrying a crosswise pin upon which the member to which the particular yoke is connected is pivotally mounted. The link therefore acts as a universal jointconnection between the bellcrank lever 183 and the arm 188, which move in circles at right angles to each other.

By means of these various connections the rocking motion of the rock-shaft 165 is transmitted through the arm 188, link 187, bell-crank lever 183, screw 185 and spring 184 to the end of the hammer rod 160 to drive it downwardly to press the material. As the rod 160 is not connected to the spring,r 184, I provide suitable means for retracting it or moving it upwardly when the screw 185 is moved upwardly, such, for instance, as a spring 195 connected under tension at one end to a pin 196 set on the back sise of the arm 12 and at the other end to a pin 197 set in a collar 198 fastened to the hammer rod 160. The spring being under tension at all times serves to keep the rod in an uppermost position with its top end in engagement with the spring 184. The screw 185, it will be noticed, is adjustable in the bell-crank lever, being held in adjusted position by a set-nut 199, whereby the amount of pressure exerted by the spring 184 and hence by the hammer on the material in the pressing operation may be regulated. By means of the spring 184 I secure a yielding hammer which accommodates itself to vary ing thicknesses of material.

lt will be noticed that the hammer is in plan outline approximately a quadrant of a circle and that it is mounted on the rod 160 near the point corresponding to the cen ter of the circle of which it is a quadrant. (See Fig. 11.) The arrow in Fig. 11 indicates the direction of and normal line of feed. The front edge 200 of the hammer nearest the operator is normally approximately at right angles to theline of-feed.

1n folding outside or convex curves of small radii, the work is pivoted at a point in front of the hammer and toward the operator, in which case it is desirable to extend the pressing surface of the hammer nearer to the operator in order that the entire fold may be pressed. For this purpose 1 have provided means for swinging the hammer toward the Operator .through en er@ 0f approximatelyv forty-five degrees, said means comprising a finger-piece 202 set in the collar 198 on the hammer rod whereby the operator by pressing downwardly upon the finger-piece turns the hammer into the desired position. This can be accomplished during theoperation of the machine and without interfering with it.V By thus turning the hammer the pressing surface is turned nearer to the operator as shownin Fig. 11 by the dotted lines. When the op@ erator releases the inger-piece, the spring 195 returns the hammer rod 160 to its normal position.

The'turning of the hammer as above de-V scribed throws the curved pressing surface out of` parallelism with the curved surface of the work-support, but as the area of the hammer is comparatively small compared with the area of the work-'support the slight difference between the two pressing surfaces which results is compensated for by the facts that there isa surplus of material in the folded over portion in convex curves which folds in puckers and therefore forms a thicker fold and thatthe hammer'yields.

As my machine is designed to operate at a high speed, I have found it preferable to counterbalance the hammer operating mechanism which is located entirely on one Vside ofthe rock-shaft 165 by a counterweight 205 carried on a short arm 206 secured-to the`rock-shaft 165-by a split-collar 207 and screw 208. As a result the machine is evenly balanced and will operate at a very high speed without vibration.

In folding the edges of concave or inside curves, a cutting or slitting of the edge to be folded is essential and for this reason means are provided for slitting thc edge of the material when necessary. These means comprise a knife-block 36 provided with a slot 210 whereby it may be adjust-ably fastened to the top of the lower arm 11 by a screw 212. Arranged to copel'ate with the knife block is a knife blade 37 carried by a vertical knife-bar 213, and provided with a shearing edge and a downwardly projecting beveled guide 214. The knife blade is provided with al slot 215 adapted to receive a screw 216 whereby it may be adjustably secured to the knife-bar. The latter is movably mounted in a block or bearing 21T which may be attached either to the block 161 or tothe end of the arm 12. Movably mounted in the bearing block 217 is a guide rod 219 having aI split end 220 in which is fastened yby a screw 221 a cross-bar 222 integral with a split collar surrounding and fastenedto the top of the knife-bar 213 by av screw'p`223; The'knifeLbar, guide rod and cross-bar thereby lreciprocate as aunit and the guide rod prevents any twisting or turns ing ofthejknifej-bar and keepsthe knife bladeir'r alinement withl the lmife-block rlheknifebladeis operated from the rockV shaft 165 when desired, through the follow` ing means. Upon the end of the rock-shaft 165 Vis fastened a short arm 225 extending upwardly and obliquely toward the operator, the arm being of the same general form as other arms in this machine having a split collar 226 at one end whereby it is fastened on the rock-shaft and a split collar228 at the other end to receive a pin 230 upon which is pivotally mounted a short arm 232. The lower end of the latter arm is pivotally connected by a pinl 233 to a link 234 which is in-turn pivotally connected to the crossbar 222. The pin 233 also pivotally connects to the arm 232 and link 234 a bar 235 the other end of whichis pivotally connected to a depending' bar'236, the lower end of which is fastened to one end of a rodv 233 running longitudinally the machine on the side away from the operator, which is rotatably journaled in brackets 240 and 2111 springing from the upper arm 12. The other end 24:2 of the rod 233 turnedback andA under the bracket 241 which acts as a stop to limit the rotation of the'rod in one direction. Collars 243 and 244i are arranged on the rod 233 and fastened thereto on either side of the bracket 240 to prevent longitudinal morement of the rod. A. spring 2&5 fastened at one end to the turned end 242 of the Vrod 233 and at its other end tothe frame ofthe machine'. holds the bar in the position shown in Fig. 2.V i i Y The normal position of the knife operating parts'is illustrated in Fig. 3 where it will be observed the pin 233, which is the pivot point of connection of the arm 232, the link 2311 and the bar 235 is oncenter with the center of the rock-shaft '165. Any rocking movement of that shaft does not, theres fore, change the location of the pin 233 and has noeffectupon the knife operating mechi anism and in consequence, the knife blade 3T remains immovable.

Upon the rod 238 is fixed a lever 250 to the free end'of `which' a treadlel or other suitable operating device is designed to be attachedby a rod 251 whereby the end of the lever may be depressed, ,turningY the rod 238 against the tension of the spring 24:5. The immediate result of turning the rod 23S is to throw the pin 233 away from the center of therock-shaft 165 into the position of the parts shown in Fig.` 10 and when the parts are in that position, the rocking movement of the rocl-nshaft 165 produces a reciprocating movement of the knife-bar and knife blade which results in cutting the edge of thematerial between thev plow and the gage wherethe Vknifeblock and knife blade areL located-.f Y l By means ofthe above construction, the operator absolutely controlsthe i knife mechasmifa'ndthrows itpintoand out'o'f opera# tion by merely pressing down a treadle and releasing it.

Heretofore in most folding machines the knife blades have been so arranged as to cut slits vrnich Were perpendicular to the normal line of feed, that isy the blades vvere arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the i'nachine. There straight edges were cut the slits Were perpendicular to the edge, but in cutting the edges on concave or inside curves vof small diameter, the cuts were oblique to the edge because in folding such curves it is necessary to pivot the Work which presents the edge to be cut at an angle to the lmife and not perpendicular to it. This has resulted in choppy and uneven ivorl on such curves.

To avoid this, I have arranged my knife at an angle of approximately fifteen degrees to the main horizontal axis of the machine with the front of the knife nearer to the operator. By so doing I have found that I get slits on inside curves of small radii which are approximately perpendicular t0 the edge of the curve and thereby I secure folds on such curves which are uniform, neat and nished with a smooth curving edge. Although I have specified the angle at which the lrnife is set and the angle of the shearing edge of the knife-block to be approximately fifteen degrees, I do not limit myself to that angle as in different classes of work other angles greater or less than fifteen degrees may be found preferable.

I have described' my slitting device herein because it constitutes a part of my improved machine but I do not desire to claim the invention shown and disclosed thereby since it is described and claimed in an application filed by me June 25, 1919, Serial No. 306,627.

As heretofore stated. one of the most important features of my invention resides in the provision of a convexly curved Worksupport and pressing means having a pressing surface parallel to the surface of the work-support. By means of this construction the edge to be folded is turned over into acute angle With the surface of the Worksupport, which thereby relieves the strain on the edge to prevent stretching of the edge and insures the laying of a uniform, even and smooth fold. Referring to Fig. S showing the Work-support and hammer in tl eir relation to the plonT or fold turning device, it will be noticed that the rearmost edge of the plow adjacent to the curved Work-support and hammer is substantially vertical and the lines of that edge and of tl e Work-support make an acute angle. Consequently, as the material is fed past the plow the turned over edge is at an acute angle with the body-portion of the Work which is Supported on the curved Work-` support and when the hammer operates to press down the fold upon the body-portion the pressing operation is completed Without placing any substantial strain upon the turned over edge of the material. The reason for this Will be apparent `When it is considered that it is much easier to fold the edge of the material if the body-portion be held on a curved support and the edge merelyturned over, and this is the principle upon which this feature of my invention is based. n f

It is to be observed that my folding machine employs comparatively feW parts and is extremely simple both in construction and operation. Because of its balanced and .compact construction it is capable of very high speed thereby producing finished Work with great rapidity. Furthermore, its operL tion at a high speed is Without vibration and practically noiseless, thereby reducing the strain on the operator.

It is to be understood that my invention be embodied in other forms of construction than that shown and described and it is my intention to claim it broadly except Where specically limited in the following claims.

What I claim is l. In a folding machine, the combination of means for feeding the material through the machine, means for turning over the edge to be folded.y means for pressing the` edge to be folded down upon the body-portion of the material and a ivorlcsupport for iolaing the material Abeingoperated upon, said Work-support being curved transversely to the line of feed beginning at the line of fold of the material.

2. In a folding machine, convex Worksupport for the material to beoperated upon, means for feeding the material through the machine, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means 'for pressing the edge to be folded down upon the body-portion of the material; said Worksupport being convex at all points beginning With the line of fold of the material.

3. In a folding machine1 the combination of a Work-support curved transversel to the line of feed, means for feeding the terial through the machine, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing the edge to be folded, the presssurface of said pressing means being parallel tothe curved surface of said Workd support. i

4. In a folding machine, the combination f a convex Work-support for the material to e operated upon, means for feeding the material through the machine, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing the edge to be folded down upon the body-portion of the material, the pressing surface of said pressing means being concaved and parallel to the convex surface of said Work-support.

llO

5. A foldin `machine having, in combination, a cylinc rically curved Work-support,

the center axis of said curve being parallel to the line of feed, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing down the edge to be folded, the pressing surface of Vsaid last mentioned means being parallel With the surface of said. curved Work-support,

6. Ina folding machine, the combination with means for feeding the material step by stepand means for turning over the edge to be folded of a Work-support having a convex surface constitutin a portion of a cylinder the axis of'which 1s parallel to the line of feed and a hammer for pressing down the turned over edge to be folded, said hammer having a concaved pressing surface which. is parallel to the convex surface of the Work-support and said hammer reciprocating in a line perpendicular to the curved surface-of the Work-support.

7. In a folding machine the combination with means for feeding the material through the machine and means for turning over the edge to be folded of a curved Work-support and meansfor pressing `down the turned over edge of the material upon the bodyportion, said pressing means having a concaved surface of the same curvature as that of the convex `surface of the Work-support.

8. A folding machine comprising a Work- Vsupport curvedV transversely to the line of feed, means for feeding the Work, means for turning over the edge to be folded and Y means for ressin down the said edO'e said P g e a Veo pressing means being adapted to reciprocate in a4 straight line at an angle to the main axis of the machine and having a pressing surface parallelto the surface of said worksupport.

9. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport curved transversely to the line of feed, means for feeding the edge to be folded, and a hammer for pressing down theV said edge, said hammer being set at an angle to the main axis of the machine and having a pressing surface parallel to the curved surface of said Work-support.

l0. A folding machine comprising a Work-support curved transversely to the line of feed, means for feeding the Work, means for turning over the'edge to-he folded, and a reciprocating hammer for pressing down the said edge, said hammer being adapted tomove in a straight line inclined to the main axis of the machine.

11. A folding-machine comprising a fixed Work-support having a cylindrically curved surface, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing down said edge; said pressing means having a pressing surface-'parallel to the surface of said Work-support.' p i 12, A folding machine comprising a surface, meansv for turning over the edge to be folded and reciprocating means for pressing down said turned over edge upon the body-portion of the material; said pressing means having a` pressing surface parallel to the surface of said work-support and reciprocating in a line perpendicular to the surface of said work-support.

13. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport having a cylindrically curved surface, the axis of said curve being parallel to the line of feed of the material, means for turning over the `edge to be folded, a hammer for pressing down said turned over edge upon the body-portion of the material, and means for reciprocating said hammer in a line inclined to the main axis of the-machine and perpendicular tothe surface of said Work-support.

le. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport having a cylindrically curved surface, means for feeding the material to be folded in a line parallel to the axis of curvature of said Work-support, means for turning over the edge to he folded, a hammer for pressing down said edge upon the body of the materiahsaid hammer having a pressing surface parallel to the curved surface of said Work-support, and means for reciprocating said hammer in a line perpendicular to said Work-support.

15. A' folding machine comprising a Worksupport having a curvedsurface, means for feeding the material to be operated upon, means for turning over the edge to loe folded, a hammer for pressing 'down the said edge upon the body. of the material, said hammer having a pressing surface parallel to Vthe curved surface of said Work-support, and means for reciprocatingsaid hammer.

16. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport having a-curved surface, means for feeding the material to be operated upon, means for turning over the edge to be folded, a hammer having arpressing surface parallel to the surface of said work-support, said hammer beingl arranged to reciprocate in a line perpendicular to the curved surface of said Work-support andV inclined to the main horizontal axis of the machine,rand means for reciprocating said hammer to press down said turned over edge upon the body of said parallel` to the surface of said Work-support. Y

18.A folding machine having, in combinat-ion, a convexly curved work-support, the

axis of said curve being parallel to the normal line of feed, means for feeding the Work, means for folding the edge of the Work and means for pressing down said folded over edge; all of the Work-engaging surfaces of said feeding and said pressingmeans being parallel to the curved surface of saidv Worksupport.

19. A folding machine having, in combination, a Work-support curved transversely to the line of feed, means for feeding the Work, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing dovvn said edge; said feeding means and said pressing means having Work-engaging surfaces Which are parallel to the curved surface of said Work-support. i

2 0. A folding machine having, in combination, a cylindrically curved Work-support, means for feeding the Work, means for turning over the edge to be folded and a hammer for pressing down upon the body-portion of the Work said turned over edge; said feeding means and said hammer having all Workengaging surfaces parallel to the surface of said work-support.

21. A folding machine comprising a conveXly curved Work-support, means for turning over the edfre to be folded and yieldable means for pressing down said edge, said yieldable pressing means having a curved pressing surface parallel to the surface of said Work-support.

22. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport curved transversely to the line of feed, means for feeding the work, means for turning over the edge to be fol-ded, and yieldable means for pressing down said edge, said yieldable means having a curved pressing surface parallel to the surface of said Work-support.

23. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport conveXly curved transversely to the line of feed, means for feeding the Work, means for turning over the edge to be folded, and a yieldable hammer for pressing down the said edge, said hammer having a curved pressing surface parallel to the surface of said Work-support.

24. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport having a cylindrically curved surface, means for turning over the edge to be folded and a reciprocating hammer for pressing down said edge; said hammer being rotatable on its axis in order to advance its pressing surface near to the operator when desired.

25. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport having a cylindrically curved surface, means for turning over the edge to be folded and a reciprocating hammer for pressing down said edge, said hammer having a pressing surface parallel to the surface of said Work-support and being capable of rotation on its axis at the will of the operator Without interfering With the operation of the machine.

26. A folding machine comprising a conveXly curved Work-support, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing down said edge, said pressing means having a curved pressing surface parallel to the surface of said Work-support and being rotatable in order to advance the pressing surface of said means toward the operator to facilitate folding on convex curves.

27. A folding machine comprising a cylindrically curved Work-support, means for feeding the Work, means for turning over the edge to be folded, and spring-actuated means for pressing down said edge, said spring-actuated meansbeing rotatable at the will of the operator, Without interfering with the operation of the machine, in order to advance the pressing surface of'said pressing means toward the operator to facilitate the folding of convex curves.

28. A folding machine comprising a Worksupport curved cylindrically Vand transversel'y to the line of feed, means for feedingv the Work, means for turning over the edge to be folded and means for pressing down said edge, said pressing means being rotatable at the Will of the operator, Without interfering With the operation of the machine, in order to advance the pressing surface of said pressing means toward the operator to facilitate the folding of convex u curves.

29. A folding machine comprising a curved Work-support having a cylindrically curved surface, means for feeding the Work, means for turning over the edge to be folded and a yieldable hammer for pressing down said edge, said yieldable hammer being r0- tatable at the Will of the operator in order to advance its pressing surface nearer the operator to facilitate the folding of convex curves.

30. A folding machine comprising a conveXly curved work-support, means for feeding the Work, means for slitting the edge to be folded at the will of the operator, means for turning the edge to be folded and means having a curved pressing face for pressing down said edge.

3l. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities of a Worksupport having a convex surface adapted to support the body-portion only of the material being folded, said convex surface beginning at the line of fold of the material in order that the body-portion of the material may lie in the machine at an angle of less than one hundred and eighty ydegrees with the edge to be folded over before said edge is turned over.

32. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities of a Worksupport having a cylindrically curved surface, the axis of said curve being parallel to the line of feed of the material, said curved surface beginning at the line of fold of the material in order that the body-p0rtion of the material may lie in the machine at an angle of less than one hundred and.

eighty degrees with the edge to be folded over before said edge is turned over.

33. In a folding machine, the combination `With folding instrumentalities of a Workangle in order to prevent stretching of the edge of the material by thepressing opera-` tion.

34. In a foldingv machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities of a for- Wardly extending arm having a fiat horizontal top adjacent its end, and a Work-slip` port having a cylindrically curved surface, the axisof said curve being parallel with the line ofl feedV of the material, mounted on the end of said arm, said curved surface beginning at the line of fold of the material in order that the bodyportion=of the material may lie in the machine at an angle of less than one hundred and eighty degrees with lthe edge to be folded over before said edge is turned over. Y

,35.` In a folding machine, the combination Withv folding instrumentalities, of a Worksupport having a supporting surface-divided on the line of fold of the material into a fiat portion and a curved portion, the angle between the twoA surfaces being less than one hundred and `eighty degrees 36.- In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrunie1italities of a Worksupport having a curved portionv adapted to support the body-portion of the material being folded and a fiat portion for supporting the edge of the material,` before it is. folded, the anglebetween saidV curved and.

said fiat portions being less than one hundred andr eight degrees. 4

In Witness W ereof Ihereunto set my 'hand this nineteenth day of May, 1919.

WILLIAM F; LAUTENSGHLAGER. 

